"Decision makers need to get out cars and experience cycling": Reaction to school 'bike train'; Gridlock returns after LTN ripped out; Strava art; Remco races gravel; Commute truths; Bloody cyclists; Funding cuts protest ride + more on the live blog

Endura reckons that its new Pro SL 3-Season is “the ultimate autumn/ winter/ spring hardcore roadie jacket” that will “do a brilliant job in an incredibly wide range of temperatures and conditions”. “The Pro SL is designed to keep you warm on those chilly mornings and fast descents, while its excellent breathability and large ventilation zips prevent you from overheating when you’re working hard on steep climbs,” says Endura. 

The Pro SL – designed with input from former pro Marcel Kittel, according to Endura – is also intended to be waterproof and not too heavy. The outer shell is a mix of high stretch, waterproof membrane fabrics while a separate vest uses PrimaLoft’s new Evolve fabric to provide lightweight insulation.

 “The full-body venting system features two large two-way zipped chest vents, zipped wrist vents, and a special superpower feature: an exhaust vent at the rear – imagine the cooling system of a powerful engine with heat billowing out of the exhaust,” says Endura.

The jacket comes in an athletic fit with a high-cut collar. You get triple pockets at the rear with a zipped security pocket too. There’s also a zipped chest pocket, and subtle reflective details. Available in black and pumpkin, Endura’s Pro SL 3-Season Jacket is priced £179.99.

I have so much cycling kit, lightly used or even new. Anybody out there know of a charity who would like a donation? Cycling school perhaps?

— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) October 21, 2021

 We've got a pretty strong idea of what conversations might be going on in the Martin household based on this tweet..."do you really need six pairs of Israel Start-Up Nation arm warmers?" The 35-year-old called time on his pro cycling career after Il Lombardia and clearly doesn't need quite as much kit as he once did. Get replying with your charities, clubs, personal offers etc. if you want a little piece of double Monument-winning magic...

Bike trains!

Bike trains EVERYWHERE! https://t.co/L3zxJYkgPQ

— Holobionte 🐊 (@MrHolobionte) October 20, 2021

Plenty of love for the Old Shoreham Road bike train (and of course your daily dose of council criticism).

Andrew Anderson reckons some first-hand experience from those making decisions might make them more informed and empathetic towards cyclists, "The decision makers need to get out of their cars and experience cycling, perhaps they may actually get a different perspective of what it’s like for cyclists. For the sake of safety and the environment things have to change."

Jodie Hayes wrote: "Well done. Good luck. We needs kids to be riding safely to school and learning such a valuable life skill."

Richard Lawrence wins the comedy award: "Poor kid having the big golden sticker put on their face, how are they supposed to see?"

Irony is... when drivers pressure council to remove bike lane, forcing parents to cycle *two abreast* with their kids for safety 🤷 https://t.co/l34ckSZJaC

— closepassescardiff (@closepassescdf) October 21, 2021

Who fancies giving this a go in #Harlow I’m well up for this. Just need to borrow some pupils. https://t.co/9maxEZKgTu

— Yasmin Gregory (@yazzyg) October 21, 2021

There's a protest ride in London next Friday that has been organised by the IWGB cycling instructors branch in response to cuts to funding. The protest will meet at Trafalgar Square at 2pm before moving on to City Hall. Funding for London cycle training between October and December has been cut by at least 50 per cent across every borough. The group says this will mean no new groups of children will get training for the rest of the year and at least one employee is out of work.

First Italian in eight years to win the prestigious Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, @ballero_94 has agreed to a new contract with the Wolfpack: https://t.co/mMf7IffO0x
Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/KFOxzzR3fF

— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) October 21, 2021

It's going to be a long winter if Deceuninck-Quick-Step keep this up...

At least it gives me an excuse to mention the intriguing news that Remco Evenepoel is doing some gravel racing during the off-season. He's off to Kansas at the end of the month to take on the Belgian Waffle Ride, a 111.11-mile gravel race on Halloween. I'm sure he'll feel right at home surrounded by Belgian waffles and filthy bergs. His teammate, and 12th on GC at the Tour de France, Mattia Cattaneo is making the trip too.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Belgian Waffle Ride (@belgianwaffleride)

Enjoyed seeing this on my morning bike commute @TheWarOnCars pic.twitter.com/1moy3KDQ0i

— New York Lonely Boy (@StahlTactics) October 20, 2021

Actual gridlock on a road in what was LTN21, foul air and foul tempers. pic.twitter.com/1jhYoAgAQW

— Better Ealing Streets (@BetterEaling) October 20, 2021

Right on cue, this video dropped just as the jokes and fury were raging in for Ealing Council encouraging people to utilise active travel and public transport for short journeys...two weeks after they'd ripped out seven of the borough's LTNs. 

"Foul air and foul tempers," was how Better Streets Ealing described the gridlocked scenes at the former LTN21 site in West Ealing. Anyway, at least all the boundary roads will be empty...right?

Some pointed out how great it was to see better accessibility for all the people named as reasons for scrapping LTNs...

Great to see how One Ealing and Ealing Council have joined forces to ensure better accessibility for emergency services, the disabled and elderly, dog “walkers”, Mums who have to go somewhere else after school pick-up, plumbers carrying sofas and carers.

Is that everybody? https://t.co/SXK6ZA6PR5

— Paul Campbell (@PauloCampbell) October 20, 2021

Better Streets Ealing on the scene reported drivers finally "able to escape expressing their frustration with extra bursts of speed and hurried, angry driving." One commenter came up with an ingenious solution to the problem...

Can’t we introduce a scheme to stop these drivers taking short cuts through side streets, and just letting in local residents? Keep the through drivers on the main roads?

— Derek Cox (@Derekabcd) October 21, 2021

How did Derek think of that? He's going places that lad...(slowly if he's in a car in Ealing).